Wheel structure



July 23, 1946. A. LYON 2,404,389

WHEEL STRUCTURE Filed June 2, 1943 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ZHVEWZQF July 23, 1 946.

. G. A. LYQN' 2,404,389

WHEEL STRUCTURE Filed June 2, 1943 2 Shee tsSheet 2 v 62-0905 x74 55.97 Lrav.

in fl wzmw e.

Patented July 23, 1946 OFFICE WHEEL STRUCTURE George Albert Lyon, Allenhurst, N. J. Application June 2, 1943, Serial No. 489,309 Q 6 Claims.

This invention relates to a wheel structure and is directed more particularly to an improved cover assembly therefor.

One of the important objects of the invention is to provide for a wheel structure a cover assembly includin improved retaining means for securing the same to the wheel.

Still another object of the invention is to provide for a cover assembly on a wheel structure; improved retaining means of the type characterized as easy-on, hard-ofijin that the cover may be quickly and easily applied to the Wheelstructure and, when once applied, can be removed therefrom only'by the application of forces considerably greater than those previously used to attach the same.

Still another object of the invention is to proyide for a wheel structure a cover assembly including an outer part constructed from sheet synthetic plastic stock or the like, whereby it possesses locally resiliently, temporarily flexible characteristics enabling it to be flexed locally outwardly away from the associated wheel structure to render the rear side thereof accessible, this cover assembly being secured to the Wheel structure by improved means at the outer periphery thereof, said means being so arranged that the outer peripheral portion of the flexible cover is protected from breakage impressed by the pry-off or removal forces necessarily applied to obtain detachment of the cover from the wheel.

Still a further object of the invention ist o provide improved means for detachably securing the outer peripheral part of a locally, temporarily flexible cover member to a wheel structure.

In accordance With the general features of the invention, there is provided herein, for a wheel structure, a cover assembly arranged for dispowheel structure embodying .a preferred form of my invention; 7

Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a wheel structure showing the form of my invention disclosed in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a wheel structure embodying still another form of my invention;

Figures 4 and 5 are fragmentary cross-sectional views of a wheel structure embodying stillfurther. modified forms of myinvention; V

Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing a wheel structure embodying another form of my invention; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the construction shown in Figure 6 but show- 7 ing the manner in which a pry-off tool may be applied to the cover for effecting removal thereof from the wheel structure. f

It will be understood that the embodiments dis-- closed herein are for illustrative purposes .and may be changed or modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. j

Referring to Figure 1, the wheel structure shown hereinincludes a tire rim ll) having a base flange H to which is secured a central spider or load bearing portion l2 as by riveting or welding a peripheral flange IZq thereof to the base flange ll of the tire rim. As will be seen fromFigure 2, the flange [2a,

' at certain parts thereof,is depressed radially insition over the outer side thereof, said cover assembly including a self-sustaining, form retaining radially outer marginal portion formed to be locally, temporarily flexed away from the wheel to render the rear side thereof accessible and having a cross-sectional configuration of such shape and magnitude that it constitutes, in effect, a continuation of the side wall of a tire mounted on the wheel structure to give. the effect of being a part thereof and to give the appearance of being a white side Wall of a massive tire mounted upon a wheel structure of minimum dimensions, when colored white.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a wardly of the wheel structure to afford circum-. ferentially spaced apertures along the junction of the tire rim with the central load bearing portion I2. The tire rim is further provided with opposite side flanges l4, opposite intermediate flanges I5 and opposite edge portions l 6 between which is disposed a pneumatic tire I! having an inner tube [8 provided with a valve stem I9 which projects through a suitable registering aperture in the outer side wall flange I4 of the tire rim. I

The cover assembly shown in the construction of Figure 2 includes an outer annular cover part 20 and a central hub cap simulating circular cover in a snap-on head 24; the latter being arranged to be forced resiliently inwardly at portions thereof which override substantially radially inwardly extending humps 25 formed on the outer surface of the central load bearing portion l2 when the hub cap simulating member 2| is urged axially inwardly of the wheel structure until the extreme minerpertiefis aj wn Fig re radially outer portion 26 of the hub cap member comes to rest against the adjacent portion of the outer surface of the spider l2. When the hub cap portion is forced into the above position it will be seen that the snap-on bead 24 has sprung resiliently outwardly to come to rest upon an obliquely disposed, substantially radially inwardly, axially outwardly extending rear face of the humps 25, whereby a secure detachable en agement is obtained. j The outer ifinular cover part 2 0 is preferably provided with "a 'ro ss sectional configuration of such size and magnitude that it extends radially outwardly to the edge portion l6 of the tire and, if desired, therebeyond and radially inwardly with a gradual curvature similar to that of the side wall of the tire I! to a point preferably radially inwardly cf the radially-innermost e xtremity of the tire rim l0, thereby to constitute,

in effect, a continuation of the side wall of'the tire and to give the appearance of being a part thereof" and-to 'appear a'sa white-sidewall of a' massive tire mounted upon a wheel structure of minimum "dimension; when colored whiter -In-vie'w ofthief'btf that in certainvehicle constructions wheel" balancingwei'ghts,"aindthe 'tlike, are-"ordinarily appended"to-'the'"tire"rim'and in view" of 'the 'fact" that' the cover memberzl as above described, substantially entirelyconceals the outer side 'of"'the'tire" rim, some expedient must'beprovided for" rendering the'rear sid'epf the rim accessible.'Furthermore; while thev'alve stein l'9 "shown 'hereirr'i's' of al'ength" 'sufficientto extend through th'e"aperture'20ain'the coverpart 20, certain constructions areiitilize'dwhereinthe iva'lve stem" is entirely" concealed "by the cover part "and,"'under saidpircunistancesf it is" likewise necessary that*the'rearsideof"the cover "be ac'- cessible forservicingofthes parts hdusedftherebehind. To this end tn'e cover *m-einberzmis ,preferabl-y constructed 'rrbm a matenai such as j synthetic lastic sheet stock 'or' the'" line, havirfg locally resilient, elastically- "flexible? self Sustai'n ing characteristics whereby the "cover may-be temporarily, locally distorted tiff'rer'idei' the re'ar I side-thereof accessible by draw g" a part"thereof awa mremthe -wnee1 structur provided at or apluranty f circiimferentiallyspaced *rsilient ciip -29i1ay; i m f p-"pertic'ns 'so t rminatingtn obliquelynisg I posed, substantially iad llymwardly; axially out extending terminal pertrens'si. A will from 9 prev eres i lie'ncy"forthe"ter= aybe sprung into en g t'aeningthe cover member 2!] to the wheel enactment willb'e seen that axial inward movethe ine'mbr's'ZS "to engage against the edge per 1 non'feenu 15 beurged"radially'ifiwardly relative I until the" termin'alportio'ns 3 l thereof ovd sufiiiently far axially "inwardly to p it tli'em to eofiife wr t against the radially in urfrace of 'theedg rtlionlii as'sho'wn in axial' ir'ifward"movement or the rigu inteririedi'a't'loopi parts Cmerw thereof wil1"'cau"se looped pertiens 10f and are detached from the edge portion by axial outward movement of the cover only after suffici nt ior e has be n app d tolrpsili ntly spr theentire looped porfiio si3il" radiallyinwardly to soposi'tion the terminal portions 3| that they may be slidingly disengaged from theedge por- "tion l6.

" indicated previously, the cover 213 is preferably formed irom a material which is relatively 'weakennan metal or the like, and accordingly it is highly desirable that the radially outer peripheral margin of the cover member be protcted against damage by a pry-off tool, this protection being afiorded herein by the novel construction shown which includes a'" shamipoft'lon 3?. on eacn'of the resilient"rtaining' membersbs, these shank portions serving "to' 'r'ein orcelthe peripheralmar'gimoi*the'cover memberfpairticu either manually or 'by"a'tool.

From the foregoing it wil1 be seen that there is "provided. herein impibiid eever" ssemb1y and improved"retaining" means therefor 'whereby th'e'cove'r may beappliedtothe wheersy means of an easy-on operation" and may be removed therefrom only a i hard off "operation, and furthermore that the mai'g'in'of thecov m" br' against which the pry 'off operatic plied is protected against breakagi"" 'In the cover constructionshown in'Figure 3, the radially inner"'portioii"3 3 ""of the"co'ver {i l is merely c'urved to converge 'With'the "curvature of the-adjacent pernener the sp-reefer bodyp rt l2of'tlrie wheelstriicture.

In this construction the retaining means for securing the coverto "theiwheel structure includes integral, res'ilie' l, fin er mefhlo' 3'5 which'comi prise' proj'ectioh's er ext 5 rom a" turned back portion 36 formed at the "radially: "outer periphral'mfarin ofthecotrer 3'41 me-members 35; like those shown at 2} in Figure 2, are looped as at 3T"andare provided w"i'th"terinina1 per nen hicfiresil ntly fit the substantiallyradially riw'ardly 1c rled par t of e 'it Th??? struction' oj" Figure 2," "and a securestq-tn wheel structure, "they e fi icie retain the ov 34 "th reon "in the; desired in nner'. Furthermore) Since the retaining the 1 WlQd fITQm th l'f' a me m e a asvis c rer 9 h1 y 5 ju y se e h fiv jr t the wheel structure andyetmay be detached there r m wi he anaem a ere m outward force applied tof the radially outer part Qrthe wv rwh is nsuf ien ide -a trier portion f'the "covenwhic'hds" manipulated o ei fectremoyal thereoi fromthe wheel? Thefconstructionof Figure "includes a cover member 39' similar to "that sh own Figure 3 exceptforth'e outerfpe eral in'argin' thereof which, in this construction, is" formed'td' crevicea iubstahtially axially inwardly extending "flan e 4'0. Inthis" form of my invention the cross; sectional uryature or the ef 'me ber 'aqfis such: that when the radially outer part thereof is urged into alignment with the axially outer extremity of the edge portion iii of the tire rim HI, the radially inner portion thereof is retained in pressure engagement against the outer surface of the central load bearing portion l 2 of the wheel structure as shown at 4|, the body thereof being provided with an orifice 39a arranged to receive the outer,-protruding end of the tire valve stem l9.

In order that the outer peripheral portion of the cover 39 may be retained in the aforementioned position and to further augment the ornamental effect of the cover assembly there is provided herein a split ring member 42, the ends of which meet as at 43, this split ring serving as a retaining member for the cover and being readily attachable to and removable wheel structure in a manner to be presently described.

The retaining member 42 is provided with a cross-sectional configuration including a rear flange 44 which may be disposed in abutting relationship with the portion of the outer side wall of the tire I! immediately radially outwardly of the junction thereof with the edge portion I6 of the tire rim Ill. The member 42 is further provided with a radially inwardly extending portion 45 terminating in a beaded reinforcing part 46, thelatter part extending radially inwardly beyond the edge portion IE to engage the outer surface of the radially outer margin of the cover member 39 to retain the same in the position shown in Figure 4. The retaining member 42 may be formed from any suitable material but preferably this member is constructed from sheet metal and may be finished with a high luster or enameled to give the desired color effect.

In assembling the construction of Figure 4,. it will be seen that it is merely necessary to dispose the cover 39 in concentric relationship over the outer side of the wheel and then to progressively engage the annular retaining member 42 around the tire rim in the position shown'in Figure 4, whereby it urges theaouter peripheral part of the cover 39 axially inwardly into the position shown to retain the same securely on the wheel structure.

- In the construction shown in Figure 5, the cover 4'! is similar to that shown in the construction of Figure 2; however, in this instance, the retaining means associated with the outer peripheral part thereof, is in the form of an annulus 48 having finger elements 49, these elements terminating in substantially radially inwardly, axially outwardly extending obliquely disposed terminal portions 50 which function in a manner similar to the portions ill of the construction shown. in Figure 2. In the construction of Figure 5, it will be seen that the retaining member, being provided with a continuous annular portion, serves to greatly strengthen the cover member and flexure of a portion of the outer peripheral margin of the latter results in a greater circumferential expanse thereof being removedaway from the wheel in order to render the rear side of the cover accessible. In this construction, in order that the cover will not be entirely removed from the wheel structure when a portion of the outer peripheral part thereof is drawn axially outwardly from the wheel, there is provided at the inner peripheral part thereof a bead which is pivotally engaged in an annular retaining element 52, the annular portion of which is provided with an outwardly curled cross-sectional configuration to provide an from the figurated to give an overall dimension greater than that of the depth of the respective aperture in the wheel structure. Thus, when the retaining member 52 is urged axially inwardly of the wheel structure with the arms 54 and the loops 55 in alignment with the spaced apertures of the wheel. the loops 55 are compressed until they attain a position shown in Figure 5, whereupon they expand to lock the retaining member 52 on.

the wheel structure. It will be understood that the ,cover member 41 may be first assembled with the retaining member 52 or the'cover may be elastically snapped into the radially outwardly grooved, annular portion 53 after the member 52 ha been assembled in the position shown in Figure 5. Thereafter the outer peripheral portion of the cover 4'l may be pressed against the wheel structure whereupon the fingers 49, and particularly the ends thereof, will be radially inwardly deflected and then will expand radially outwardly to attain the interlocking position shown.

In the form of my invention shown in Figures 6 and 7, the resilient, circumferentially spaced members 56 are similar to those shown in the construction of Figure 2. However, in this instance, the retaining means at the radially inner periphery of the locally flexible cover member 51, while similar to that shown at '52, in Figure 5, differs therefrom principally in that it is constructed to facilitate removal of the assembly from the wheel structure. V

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the'retaining means 58 provided at the radially inner periphery of the cover member 51, includes an annular por: tion 59 which terminates in a radially outwardly extending peak 69.

The retaining means 58 is further provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially inwardly extending arms 6| which terminate in resilient loops 62, the latter having an overall dimension greaterthan the depth of the spaced apertures in the wheel structure and being arranged for alignment therewith so that axial .in-" ward movement of the cover assembly causes compression of the loops 62 as they pass through the respective apertures, whereupon they expand to interlock the cover assembly with the wheel structure when the extreme inward axial position, such as that shown in Figure 6, is attained. As will be seen from the drawings, the cover member 51 may be provided at the radially inner margin thereof with a substantially radially inwardly turned flange 53 which terminates in an oppositely extending flange 54, the radially inner peripheral part of the annular portion 59 of the re-' the cover 51 may be drawn axially outwardly away from the edgerportion IE to permit entry of a pry-01f tool T, the point of which may be inserted axially inwardly of the peak 60 of the retaining a encies part thereo in crumed at th orner unc io med etween th ed e P rt n 1-5 an t e in rm dia flange I. at the i e m a I l 'be s en en teu i in his ositi n, u a d m ment of the cuter part thereof will cause radial inward movement of the point thereof and this movement will urge the peak 69, together with the 1099s 62, radially outwardly from the wheel to disengage the cover assembly therefrom.

Fr m the o e o n i l be seen that I a e provided herein? n vel co r con tio luding imp eved retai n mea r b t e 993161" may be attached to a wheel structure havin i flanged tire bein ac o plish d w ther at aci it Furth more, it will be seen that ;I have provided a re? taining structure whereby the cover is very .se curely'retained upon the wh el ruc ur nd may beremoved therefrom only by the application of considerably greater forces than those required to, accomp i t s mbling eration, the retaining construction being $1 .1 that the portions of ithe'cover'member against which detachment forces are applied, in the event that the coveris constructed from a resilient, relatively weal; materiaLare well protected against destruction by the application of these forces.

'WlnatI claim is; a 1;,Ina wheel structure including a tire rim and a central load bearing portion, a cover assembly including a radially outer annular, locally resiliently flexible, self sustaining, relatively frangible part for dispositionover the outer side of an annular portion of the wheel structure, retaining; means for securing the cover to the wheel ure includi a plu ality of circumferenm mber as with iilieiineglieie tially spaced resilient clip members arranged to flex with relative ease to aiford attachment of the cover to the Wheel structure and to resist with greater force removal from the Wheel structure by axial outward movement of the cover, said clipsbeing joined together as an integral unit by an integral annulus arranged to be enveloped at least in part by the radially outer marginal portion of the cover and to reenforce that portion of the cover against breakage by receiving a pry-01f tool during apryoif operation.

2-. In a wheel structure including a tire rim and a central load-bearing portion, said tire rim having a flanged edge portion, a cover assembly including a radially outer annular part arranged he atta hme p r t of the cover member ad ally inwa dly at the v i. mar inrast thetirerim xt mity a d re a ning loop structure tinned enerally x a ly i w rdly from said connectin str tu e and pon its lf for retainin en a e ment within said extremi y fla e of the tire rim: .-,'I: a h e s u ture in ludin a tire rim having an axially outwardly and radialiy .in-

a -1y turne xtremity flang anda centralload bearing portion, an annular cover structure d ns on d to extendnircm over yin relation to he extremi y fla ge of the tire rim adjacent. to the tire suppor e by the rim. and in concealin relation to the tire rim toward the load bearin p rt n of the-wh e and resilient spring clip means carried by the outer margin of the cover and inc ud n connecting structur united to said margin and extendingradially inwardly at the axially inner side of the margin past the tire, rim extremity and retaining loo structure turned generally axially inwardly from saidflconnecting structure and upon itself for retaining .engage ment within said extremityflangev of the tire rim, said cover being formed from a material having the physical property of being self-sustaining and yet being resiliently defiectable without permaa nent deformation and said retaining means, being operable-to hold the cover on the wheel uniformly about the entire circumference of; the cover but permitting resilient deflection of the cover within certain limits.

5. ,In a wheel structure including a, tire rim having an axially outwardlyl and radially inwardly turned extremity flange and a central load bearing" portion, an annular cover structure dimensionedto extend from overlying relation to the extremity flange of the tire rim adjacent to the tire supported by the rim and in concealing relation to th tire rim toward the load bearing portion of the wheel, and resilient spring clip means carried by the outer margin of the cover and including connecting structure united to said margin and extending radially inwardly at, the axially inner side of the margin past the tirecrim extremity and retaining loop structure turned generally axially inwardly from said connecting structure and upon itself for retaining engage-s ment within said extremity flange of thetire rim, the connecting structure of the clip means being in the form of shanks lying contiguous to the inner face of the cover margin and the cover hav engaging said shanks.

to extend radially outwardly to the edge portion of the tire rim and retaining means for securing the cover to the wheel structure including a split retaining ring having a part arranged to overlie the radially outer surface of the edge portion of the tire rim and a part bent back upon the first named part and extending radially inwardly of the edge portion ofthe tire rim to overlap the outer margin of the cover to engage the same to detachably secure the cover to the wheel.

3. In a wheel structure including a tire rim having an axially outwardly and radially inwardly turned extremityflange and a central load bearing portion, an annular cover structure dimensioned to extend from overlying relation to the extremity flange of the tire rim adjacent to the tire supported by the rim and in concealing relation to the tire rim toward the load bearing portion of the 'wheel, and resilient spring clip means carried by the outer margin of the cover and including connecting structure united to said .6. In a wheel structure including a tire rim having an axially outwardly and radially in-v wardly turned extremity flange and a central load bearing portion, an annular cover structure dimensioned to extend from overlying relation to the extremity flange of the tire rim adjacent to the tire supported by the rim and in concealing relation to the tire rim toward th load bearing portion of the wheel, and resilient spring clip means carried by the outer-margin of the cover and including connecting structure united to said margin and extending radially inwardly at the axially inner side of the margin past the tire; rim extremity and retaining loop structure turned generally axially inwardly from said connecting structure and upon itself for retaining engagement within said extremity flange of the tire rim, said connecting structure of th clip means being formed as an integral turned back portion of the cover margin.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON 

